Study 067-EG-005 evaluated the area under the curve (AUC) and the maximum or peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of Egalet-001 100 mg versus the same dose of MS Contin in a fasted state in 58 subjects.
The results of this study demonstrated that Egalet-001 in comparison to MS Contin met the bioequivalence criteria on the measure of AUC but was outside the range (90 percent confidence interval of 80 to 125 percent) for Cmax.
Study 067-EG-004 examined the effect of food on the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of Egalet-001 100 mg compared to MS Contin 100 mg in 52 subjects.
Similar to study 067–EG-005, Egalet-001 met the criteria for bioequivalence to MS Contin on the measure of AUC but was outside the range for Cmax. In this study food did not increase the Cmax or the AUC of Egalet-001 when compared to other PK studies of Egalet-001 in subjects in a fasted state. In contrast, changes in the Cmax of MS Contin were demonstrated when compared to other PK studies of MS Contin in subjects in a fasted state, consistent with previously reported studies.
This suggests that Egalet’s Guardian(TM) Technology will not result in a clinically relevant food effect.
In both studies Egalet-001 was well tolerated and no serious adverse events were reported. In addition, study 067-EG-006, a 15 mg fasted BE study, is ongoing with results expected in the third quarter of 2014.
"There have now been four studies showing consistent AUC results when comparing Egalet-001 to the reference drug MS Contin including study 067-EG-002, a PK trial of Egalet-001 60 mg, in which bioequivalence was demonstrated for both AUC and Cmax compared to the same dose of MS Contin," said Jeff Dayno, MD, Egalet’s chief medical officer.
"We are evaluating the impact of the abuse-deterrent formulation of the 100 mg tablet on the findings from the 067-EG-005 study."
In March of 2014 the FDA issued draft guidance which states that the FDA, when evaluating approaches of bioavailability and bioequivalence for NDA submissions, will use the totality of information which includes the principles of BE, PK-PD correlation and clinical trial results.
"While we will leverage our fast track designation to determine if we can pursue the BE path in light of the March 2014 guidance and based on results from the ongoing 15 mg trial, and the successful 60mg PK study, we will plan for a potential efficacy study should it be required to move forward to a NDA submission for Egalet-001," said Bob Radie, president and chief executive officer.
"Based on our PK results plus our robust Category 1 abuse-deterrent data and the ongoing Category 2/3 study, we are committed to advancing Egalet-001 to fill an unmet need in the marketplace where there are no abuse-deterrent morphine products currently available for individuals living with chronic pain."